Inexpensive gourmet platter ideas. Holiday cheese board with fruit and nuts
Inexpensive gourmet platter ideas. Holiday cheese board with fruit and nuts.
The Basic 3 Cheeser
Cheese platters are perfect for almost any occasion. Holiday cheese, day cheese, night cheese! Anytime is perfect for cheese! Well... almost.
You can mix and match a virtually unlimited variety of different cheeses, meats, nuts, fruits, veggies, sauces, spreads, dips and honey.
I usually begin with one cheese from each different type of milk. Cheese can be made from the milk of several animals; I usually stay within the limits of cow, sheep and goat cheeses.
Feel free to mix and match to suit your tastes and dietary needs. If you use powerful flavors, a little can go a very long way.
A small three cheese platter is a perfect appetizer for two people.
You can add additional items for a more substantial meal or to feed more guests.
Here are a few suggestions to help get you through your day to day cheese cravings.
A quick, easy and holiday cheese platter - GREAT for any day!
Cow's Milk Cheese
 | Gruyere - One of the most famous Swiss made cheeses. Slightly sweet with musty and nutty hints. Great for fondue, baking and snacking. Amazon Price: $12.99 |
 | Havarti - A buttery cheese from Denmark. It quickly turns soft when left out at room temperature. Superb with dill. Best on a tuna melt. An instant favorite- trust me. Amazon Price: $5.59 List Price: $5.99 |
Goat's Cheese
 | Bucheron is my personal favorite. A semi-aged goat cheese with two surprising textures. A dense, crumbly, cake center surrounded by a gooey layer that is encased by the rind. I like to spread this one on chocolate chip cookies with some sea salt and honey.
Amazon Price: $17.70 |
Sheep's Milk Cheese
 | Manchego - A hard Spanish cheese that is made from the milk of sheep grazing upon the plains of La Mancha and then aged in local caves for at least two months. It is nutty, sweet, and tangy with a firm texture Amazon Price: $7.78 |
 | A french blue cheese, the process is centuries old and the cheese goes splendid with many different types of food and drink. Amazon Price: $9.99 |
Cheese board for two - EASY TO MAKE!
Cheese Pairing Ideas
- Meats - Smoked salmon, cured beefs, sausage, chorizo, duck breast
- Accoutrements - Roasted tomatoes, fig cake, stuffed peppadews, cornichons
- Jams & such - Red pepper jelly, quince paste, any type of chutney
- Sauces - Balsamic reduction, caramel, hearty mustard, unusual honeys
- Nuts - Raw or toasted walnuts, almonds, pinenuts, macadamia
- Olives - Castelvantrano, Lucques, Kalamatas, mixed Greek
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Berries & stone fruits - Fresh, dried, cooked or candied - anything goes - BE CREATIVE
Cheese board presentation tips
 | A great kit for beginner cheesers! It has a board, all the basic tools you need and a lovely porcelain dish. A great deal indeed. Amazon Price: $31.97 List Price: $49.99 |
Check old consignment shops and vintage stores for unusual cheese board ideas at reasonable prices
- Antique serving platters are perfect
- Glass cake stands make an elegant display
- An old repurposed mirror makes a lovely presentation.
- Pizza boards
- A slab of colored glass
- Square, colored sushi-style plates also look great
- An unfinished wooden board with tiny cups and plates
- Don't forget tiny cutlery - cheese knives, little forks and spoons
Use your imagination. There are a million different ways to create a gorgeous display.
What is your favorite cheese pairing? Is there a special cheese that you have fallen in love with? I am dying to hear about it!
I am always exploring the wonderful world of artisanal cheese and cherish being able sharing what I discover. Feel free to check back for more cheesy goodness.
HAPPY CHEESING!
eye say 5 months ago
thanks for including goat and sheep cheese! good hub.